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Support Bout

The evening's third contest featured a young man who HBF scouts had regarded as the find of the Qualifying League auditions, Florida's Romy Alvarez. He'd scored a solid win over Canada's Antonio Serioux on debut and was a hot favourite going up against the Frenchman Sylvain Ribery tonight.

As a member of the Florida Alliance Alvarez has been involved in the recent rivalry with Mike Hanson, who he'll be facing in series seven of the tournament. But making the walk to the ring flanked by fellow Alliance members Elmer Ray, Terone Haynes and Ariel Reyes with the Metallica classic "Battery" exploding from the arena speakers the big Indiana native was the furtherest thing from his mind. Alvarez looked determined and intense, wearing a robe of black with red and white trim.

Once in the ring he bounced around on his toes, eager to get started. Displayed on the right leg of his trunks were a trio of flag patches representing his heritage: the Stars and Stripes, the Florida state flag and the Cuban national flag. Alvarez motioned to them proudly as he was introduced, raising his right fist into the air. As in his debut he wore his hair pulled back in a long ponytail that was held together and covered by a black cotton sleeve and hair ties of red, white and black. Elmer Ray spoke words of encouragement to him and embraced him briefly before leaving the ring.

A considerable section of the crowd were in Alvarez's corner, chants of "Iceman" and "Romdawg" resonating around the arena in the moments before the opening bell. Across the other side of the ring Ribery took it all in stride, not appearing intimidated or concerned. Alvarez controlled the opening two rounds behind a piston-like jab, Ribery struggling to make an impression on him. The Florida native looked in great shape and was showing patience and discipline, measuring his opponent effectively.

Coming on the back of that start the action in round three was somewhat unexpected. A mere fifteen seconds in Alvarez unleashed a crippling right rip to the body, the shot sending a distressed Ribery to one knee. He was up at four, wincing in pain but ready to continue. Showing poise and calm Alvarez stalked his opponent, picking him off with trios of jabs and left-right combos, but all the while keeping his composure. A left hook midway through the round snapped Ribery's head around, stunning the Frenchman. But Alvarez stayed with the gameplan, dominating proceedings without letting his fists go wild. As the round entered its final thirty seconds Alvarez went back to the body, tormenting Ribery with another hard right. Once again Ribery was down and this time he fell to the canvas, lying on his side and clutching at his ribs. He was still in that position when the count reached ten, Romy Alvarez the winner by a surprising KO 2:48 into round three.

Showing his sportsmanship qualities Alvarez helped the French native back to his corner before returning to his own to celebrate with his own crew, Ray, Haynes and Reyes climbing through the ropes to congratulate their friend on his impressive victory.

"Yeah, well, see it was something we thought could work out, coming in," said Alvarez, in regards to the body blows he landed. "Uh, watchin' the film of his fight against Hanson, we seen that Hanson spent the whole fight head huntin', barely went to the body, you know? Ribery don't look that strong 'round his midsection, I guess, so we figured we could target that. This is just the sweetest feeling winnin' a fight like this, I have to say. Gonna be some great times when we get back home, no doubt."

Alvarez wiped his face with a white towel, the interviewer commenting that it must feel good to knock out an opponent that his rival Mike Hanson was unable to. Alvarez smiled and laughed.

"I'd be lyin' to you if I said that didn't matter," he replied. "'Cause you know he's the dude that's been sayin' he was gonna knock guys out, talkin' 'bout sayin' he was gonna destroy 'em inside of three rounds. That ain't my way and honestly I ain't plannin' to make it my way. I know my style, see? I know what's gonna work for me and it was workin' tonight. It ended earlier than I was expectin' and that's a bonus."

The interviewer directed a question Elmer Ray's way, asking the 17 year-old if he was still interested in stepping in the ring against Hanson. Ray laughed and sighed before answering.

"Y'all, Romy and me talk 'bout it yes'erday, see?" Ray began. "He be tellin' me not to sweat the dude 'cause he ain't doin' nohin' but blowin' hot air, comin' down to it. He talkin' ambitious but ain't back it up yet, so we jus' let it bounce of us, y'all. I be confident Romy can kick his ass when they square off, no doubtin' that. I jus' let it go an' worry 'bout the American tourney, y'all."

In a dominating effort, Alvarez landed 68 of 194 punches (.351) while Ribery found the mark with just 12 of 27 (.444). It must be said that the Belle Glade native handled Ribery in a much more effective and convincing fashion than Mike Hanson did last month. Whether that counts as a plus for Alvarez ahead of their eventual meeting remains to be seen.

Co-Feature

After being sensationally knocked out in two rounds by Scott Mundt last month, Samoa's Kalolo Umaga bounced back in the best way possible tonight with a 1st round knockout of Connecticut's Lee Q. Murray. It was the first KO victory of the hard-hitting Samoan's career and improved his record to 3-4(1).

Umaga appeared ready to explode as the opening bell sounded and it wasn't long before he had Murray out cold on the canvas, a barrage of smashing blows sending him down hard with a final punch landing after Murray appeared to be unconscious. He was counted out and the fight was over just 49 seconds into the opening round, the crowd applauding the 22 year-old's awesome display.

Having shown glimpses of what he's capable of in the past Umaga let it all hang out tonight. He was the first fighter to test Florida Alliance member Terone Haynes when he almost went the distance with him back in April and if he can step into the ring with the same mindset he had tonight in his future bouts then he'll be a dangerous opponent...